Philip whispered a few words into the man's ear, who then went hastily through the room into the vestibule, from which, unchecked, he disappeared, through a door, into the cellar regions. Philip stood there for a few minutes, his firm lips tightly compressed, and his fixed eyes bent on the floor. He had not expected this; he had hoped to have had at least another week's law. The devil must have prompted Lübbener. However, the great haul must in the end have failed, and he had got the ready money, at any rate, provided; but he must venture it! If he could only get out of the house, they must be more than cunning--he had had everything prepared for weeks in case of this happening. As he again lifted his gloomy eyes, his glance encountered Lübbener's, who, only a few paces off, apparently in eager conversation with the Councillor and some other gentlemen, had closely observed the short scene between the master and servant, and, as the former stepped back to the group, now turned his back upon him. "Excuse me for a few minutes, gentlemen," said Philip; "I have still some arrangements to make for the cotillon, and then, if you please, we will leave the table." He said it in his usual loud and swaggering tone, whilst at the same time he caught Lübbener by the wrist, as if in an overflow of hilarity, and drew him out of the group. "What do you want?" gasped Lübbener. "To tell you," said Philip, grinding his teeth, "that you shall pay me for this, sooner or later!" He flung the little man from him so that he tumbled backwards into the group, and making his way through the conservatory with a firm step, passed into the billiard-room, to meet a gentleman who stood there alone with folded arms, leaning on one of the tables, and apparently studying the ornamentation of the door through which Philip entered. "Inspector Müller?" said Philip, who still held the card in his hand. "I have that honour," answered the inspector, unfolding his arms so slowly that he could not well take Philip's outstretched hand. "And what procures me this pleasure?" asked Philip. "The pleasure is a very doubtful one, Herr Schmidt. I have a warrant against you!" The officer took a paper from his breast-pocket, and so held it that Philip could easily have read it by the lamp over the billiard-table; but Philip had taken up a ball, and was making a hazard. "A warrant! How very strange! Look there! a double hazard too! Are you a billiard player, Herr Müller?" "Occasionally, when I have time, which I seldom have--for instance, not at present. I must therefore beg of you to follow me without delay." "And leave my guests? But, Herr Müller, just imagine--four hundred people, and no host! It is absolutely impossible!" "It must be possible."